Climbing treestand

ABSTRACT

A treestand apparatus has a frame having a first end configured to engage a tree and a second end configured to support a user&#39;s weight, a toothed belt attached to the frame at first and second points, with a portion of the toothed belt between the first and second points being configured to extend around the tree. At least one of the points of the frame includes a ratchet mechanism configured to selectively adjust the length of the portion of the toothed belt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/787,098, filed Mar. 28, 2006,in the name of Raymond Bedell, which is herein incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many people prefer to observe or hunt large game animals from thevantage point provided by an elevated platform in a high tree. Suchvantage points provide the opportunity to hunt and observe wildlifewhile avoiding detection by big-game animals roaming through the generalvicinity of the platform-bearing tree.

Climbing treestands are frequently used by hunters to ascend tree trunksand provide an elevated platform on which to support their weight duringhunting. A climbing treestand is both a climbing aid and, eventually, aplatform supporting the climber in the tree. These treestands typicallyrely on a cable or strap that extends around a tree trunk to support theweight of the hunter during ascension and subsequent hunting operations.It is common for some climbing tree stands to include a top piece, uponwhich the hunter may sit, and a bottom piece, configured to receive oneor both of the hunter's legs. The top and bottom pieces are used toascend a tree trunk using what is known as the “sit and standtechnique.”

In the “sit and stand” technique, a user alternately rests his or herweight on one of the pieces while raising the other piece with respectto the tree trunk. Thus, when the hunter's weight is on the top pieceand the bottom piece is being raised with respect to the trunk, thehunter is sitting. Conversely, when the hunter's weight is on the bottompiece and the top piece is being raised with respect to the tree trunk,the hunter is standing. Climbing tree stands are generally moreversatile and less dangerous than fixed tree stands, and consequentiallyenjoy widespread usage by many large game hunters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of theprinciples described herein and are a part of the specification. Theillustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scopeof the claims.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary top piece of a climbing treestand, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary bottom piece of a climbingtree strand, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a view of an exemplary bottom piece of aclimbing tree stand, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary ratchet mechanism, accordingto principles described herein.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a portion of an exemplary ratchet mechanismand an exemplary toothed belt, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a user carrying an exemplary climbing treestand, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a user pulling an exemplary climbing treestand behind him, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary climbing tree stand in theprocess of ascending a tree, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary climbing tree stand in theprocess of ascending a tree, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary climbing tree stand in theprocess of ascending a tree, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary climbing tree stand in theprocess of ascending a tree, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary climbing tree stand in theprocess of ascending a tree, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of ascending atree, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of ascending atree, according to principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Notwithstanding the many benefits associated with climbing treestands,users of climbing treestands available in the art often encounterproblematic situations. For example, tree trunks tend to taper indiameter, becoming more narrow as a climber ascends. Typically climbingtreestands include cables configured to extend around the trunk of atree. These cables are difficult to adjust or may not be adjustable atall. Without adjusting the cable, the user has very little control overthe pitch of the climbing treestand, which may vary substantially due tothe change in tree trunk diameter upon ascension of the tree.

An additional problem often encountered by users of climbing treestandsis that of encountering branches in a tree trunk upon ascension of thetree. Generally, climbing treestands have only one cable extendingaround the tree trunk, and therefore the maneuver of dismounting anddisassembling the treestand in order to move around the branch may beunsafe. Typically treestand users faced with this problem cut the branchoff of the trunk, which in turn causes damage to the tree, may cause ahazard on the forest floor, and may startle or notify game of a hunter'spresence.

To address the issues mentioned above, the present specificationdescribes a climbing treestand having a toothed belt configured toextend around the diameter of a tree trunk. The toothed belt isconnected to the climbing treestand by at least one ratchet mechanism.The ratchet mechanism allows for adjusting the length of the portion ofthe toothed belt that extends around the tree trunk, thus providingenhanced pitch control to a user. The present specification furtherdescribes an example of a climbing treestand having first and secondtoothed belts configured to extend around a tree trunk. The plurality oftoothed belts allows for a user to safely maneuver the treestand aroundbranches and other obstacles protruding from the tree trunk.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the present systems and methodsmay be practiced without these specific details. Reference in thespecification to “an embodiment,” “an example” or similar language meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment or example is included in at least thatone embodiment, but not necessarily in other embodiments. The variousinstances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or similar phrases invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment.

The principles disclosed herein will now be discussed with respect toexemplary climbing treestand apparatus and systems for climbing trees.

Exemplary Apparatus

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary climbing treestand apparatus (100)is shown. The climbing treestand apparatus (100) includes a main frame(140) having a first end (110) and a second end (115). The first end(110) is configured to engage a tree, and includes components generallyforming a “V” shape permitting the first end (110) to engage tree trunkshaving a wide range of diameters. The second end (115) is configured tosupport the weight of a user. In this case, the main frame is configuredto support the user's weight by providing a seat (145) for the user tosit on during and after climbing operations.

The main frame (140) includes first and second arms (120, 125) to whicha toothed belt (105) is removably attached with ratchet mechanisms (130,135). The arms (120, 125) may be angular extensions of the main frame(140). The ratchet mechanisms are configured to allow the user toselectively alter the length of a portion of the toothed belt (105) thatruns between the first and second arms (130, 135). The toothed belt(105) may have a substantially resilient material, and be capable ofsustaining the weight of the treestand apparatus (100) and a useragainst the trunk of a tree.

The main frame (140) may be partially or substantially made out of alightweight, strong composite material. In other embodiments, the mainframe (140) may be made out of metal.

Referring now to FIG. 2, another exemplary climbing treestand apparatus(200) is shown. The climbing treestand apparatus (200) includes a mainframe (240) having a first end (210) and a second end (215). The firstend (210) is configured to engage a tree, and includes a “V” shape,similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, thesecond end (215) of the main frame (240) is configured to support auser's weight by providing foot straps (265) to attach the user's feetto the main frame (240) and allow the user to stand on the main frame(240).

The main frame (240) may be substantially or partially fabricated from alightweight, strong composite material to provide more versatility intransporting the climbing treestand apparatus (200).

The treestand apparatus (200) also includes first and second toothedbelts (205, 207) made of resilient material, both of which are removablyattached to first and second arms (230, 235) of the main frame (240)with ratchet mechanisms. The ratchet mechanisms allow the user toselectively alter the length of the portion of the first and secondtoothed belts (205, 207) between the first and second arms (230, 235) ofthe main frame (240). These portions of the toothed belts (205, 207) areconfigured to extend around the tree engaged by the first end (210) ofthe main frame (240).

The toothed belts (205, 207) may be independently adjustable. One of thetoothed belts (205, 207) may be disengaged from the main frame (240)while another of the toothed belts (205, 207) maintains its positionextending around the tree trunk and attached to the main frame (240).

The exemplary treestand apparatus (200) further includes wheels (245,250, 255, 260) that may be used to conveniently transport the treestandapparatus (200) on the ground. The wheels (245, 250, 255, 260) may beused in conjunction with a pop-up handle, similar to those used withmany suitcases.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view is shown of a portion of thetreestand apparatus (200) of FIG. 2. Notably, the first and second arms(230, 235) of the main frame (240, FIG. 2) are shown to include housings(310, 315, 330, 335) for the ratchet assemblies by which the toothedbelts (205, 207) are attached to the first and second arms (230, 235).

The ratchet assemblies permit the free movement of the toothed belts(205, 207) through the ratchet housings (310, 315, 330, 335) in onedirection and prevent movement of the toothed belts (205, 207) in asecond, opposite direction. Movement by the toothed belts (205, 207) inthe second, opposite direction may be accomplished by pressing lever,cam, or pawl of the ratchet assembly concurrent to the movement.

Specifically, the ratchet assemblies of this embodiment permit themovement of the toothed belts (205, 207) through the ratchet housings(310, 315, 330, 335) in a direction that shortens the length of at leastone of the portions of the toothed belts (205, 207) configured to extendaround a tree. The portions of the toothed belts (205, 207) configuredto extend around the tree may be lengthened only by depressing a ratchetpawl, as will be shown in more detail in subsequent figures.

Also shown in this embodiment are shoulder straps (340, 345) which mayallow a user to mount the treestand apparatus (200) to his person forconvenient transportation of the treestand apparatus (200).

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary ratchet mechanism (400) is shown.The ratchet mechanism (400) includes a housing (410), a pawl (405), apivot pin (415), a spring (425), and a spring pin (420). The spring(425) has one end in contact with the ratchet housing (410) and anotherend that engages the pawl (405).

A toothed belt (205, FIG. 2) may be fed through the housing (410) whereit is engaged by the spring-loaded pawl (405) and restricted. An outerend of the pawl (405) provides a lever which may be depressed by theuser to disengage the pawl (405) from the toothed belt (205, FIG. 2) andpermit the toothed belt (205, FIG. 2) unrestrained movement in eitherdirection through the housing (410).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of the ratchet assembly (400) isshown in conjunction with a toothed belt (205). The housing (410) andspring elements (420, 425) have been removed to better illustrate theinteraction between the pawl (405) and a toothed belt (205).

The pawl (405) has a recess (505) designed to engage individual teeth(515) of the toothed belt (205). The geometries of the teeth (515) andthe pawl (405) are such that movement of the toothed belt (205) to theright is possible. The spring-loaded pawl (405) locks the toothed belt(205) into position by preventing it from moving to the left as long asthe pawl (405) has engaged one of the teeth (515). When a leftwardmotion of the toothed belt is desired, the pawl (405) must be disengagedby rotating it counterclockwise about the pivot pin (415). This rotationmay be accomplished by depressing the top of pawl (405).

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary climbing treestand apparatus (200)is shown mounted on the back of a user (605) with shoulder straps (340,345).

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary climbing treestand apparatus (200)is shown as having an extendable handle (710). The climbing treestandapparatus (200) may be rolled on wheels (250) behind a user (705)holding the extendable handle 710).

Exemplary System

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate an exemplary system (800) for climbing a tree(805) in various stages of ascending a tree. The system (800) includesfirst and second climbing treestand apparatus (100, 200). Each climbingtreestand apparatus (100, 200) has a main frame.

The first climbing treestand apparatus (100) is configured to support auser's weight with the user sitting thereon, and has a toothed belt(105) attached to the main frame at two points with ratchet mechanisms.A portion of the toothed belt (105) extends around the tree (805)thereby securing the apparatus (100) to the tree.

The second climbing treestand apparatus (200) is configured to supportthe user's weight with the user standing thereon. The second apparatus(200) has two toothed belts (205, 207), which, similar to the firstapparatus (100), are each attached to the main frame of the secondapparatus at two points with ratchet mechanisms. A portion of each ofthe toothed belts (205, 207) extends around the tree (805).

The exemplary system (800) is configured to allow a user to climb thetree (805) using the “sit and stand” technique, in which the first andsecond apparatus (100) serve to alternately ascend the tree trunk andprovide support for the weight of the user. This and other similartechniques are known in the art. The user is not shown in the figuresfor clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the system (800) is shown ascending the tree(805) with a branch (810) as a potential obstacle to the system (800).To continue ascending the tree (805), the first or upper climbingtreestand apparatus (100) must be manipulated around the branch (810).To do so, the toothed belt (105) may be disengaged from the main frameusing the ratchet mechanism. While the second apparatus (200) supportsthe user's weight, the first apparatus (100) may then be secured to thetree above the branch (810) and the toothed belt (105) reattached to themain frame with the ratchet mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the system (800) is shown with the firstapparatus (100) above the branch (810), and one of the toothed belts(207) of the second apparatus (200) disengaged. The toothed belt (207)may be disengaged from the main frame using the ratchet mechanism. Oncedisengaged, the loose toothed belt (207) may be manipulated over thebranch (810) and reengaged into the main frame, while maintaining aconstant anchor to the tree (805) from the other toothed belt (205) ofthe second apparatus (200).

Referring now to FIG. 10, the system (800) is shown with the firstclimbing treestand apparatus (100) and one of the toothed belts (207) ofthe second climbing treestand above the branch (810).

Referring now to FIG. 11, the system (800) is shown with the toothedbelt (207) that was beneath the branch (810) disengaged from the mainframe, while the second climbing treestand apparatus (200) is beingsupported by the engaged toothed belt (207) above the branch (810).

Referring now to FIG. 12, the system (800) is shown with all of thetoothed belts (105, 205, 207) connected to their corresponding treestandclimbing apparatus (100, 200) above the branch (810). Using ratchetmechanisms in conjunction with toothed belts (105, 205, 207), thetreestand apparatus (100, 200) may be successfully and safelymanipulated around obstacles such as branches (810).

Exemplary Methods

Referring now to FIG. 13, an exemplary method (1300) of climbing a treeis shown. The method (1300) includes the step of providing (step 1305) atree-climbing system, as described in relation to FIG. 8. A user's feetare then coupled (step 1310) to the tree-climbing system. The user thenascends (step 1315) the tree, compensating (step 1320) for a diminishingtree trunk diameter by using to ratchet mechanisms to shorten the lengthof toothed belts extending around the tree.

Referring now to FIG. 14, another method (1400) of climbing a tree isshown. The method includes the step of providing (step 1405) atree-climbing system as described in relation to FIG. 8. A user's feetare coupled (step 1410) to the system, and the user then ascends (step1415) the tree, alternately disengaging (step 1420) the toothed belts tomanipulate the system around an obstacle in the tree.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe embodiments and examples of the principles described. Thisdescription is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theseprinciples to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching.

1. A treestand apparatus comprising: a frame having a first endconfigured to engage a tree and a second end configured to support auser's weight; a toothed belt attached to said frame at first and secondpoints, a portion of said toothed belt between said first and secondpoints being configured to extend around said tree; wherein at least oneof said points of said frame comprises a ratchet mechanism configured toselectively adjust a length of said portion of said toothed belt.
 2. Thetreestand apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ratchet mechanism comprisesa pawl configured to engage individual teeth of said toothed belt. 3.The treestand apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ratchet mechanismcomprises an independently mounted spring.
 4. The treestand apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said frame comprises a composite material.
 5. Thetreestand apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises shoulderstraps.
 6. The treestand apparatus of claim 1, wherein said framecomprises wheels and an extendable handle.
 7. The treestand apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a second toothed belt attached to said frameat third and fourth points.
 8. The treestand apparatus of claim 7,wherein at least one of said third and fourth points comprises a ratchetmechanism configured to selectively adjust a length of said portion ofsaid second toothed belt.
 9. The treestand apparatus of claim 7, whereinsaid ratchet mechanism of at least one of said third and fourth pointscomprises a pawl configured to engage individual teeth of said toothedbelt.
 10. The treestand apparatus of claim 1, wherein said toothed beltcomprises a resilient material.
 11. A system for climbing a tree,comprising: a first main frame having a first toothed belt attachedthereto at first and second points, a portion of said first toothed beltbeing configured to extend around said tree; a second main frame havinga second toothed belt attached thereto at third and fourth points, aportion of said second toothed belt being configured to extend aroundsaid tree; wherein each of said first and second main frames comprises aratchet mechanism configured to selectively adjust a length of saidportion of said first and second toothed belts, respectively.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, further comprising a third toothed belt attached tosaid second main frame, a portion of said third toothed belt beingconfigured to extend around said tree.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein at least one of said ratchet mechanisms comprises a pawlconfigured to engage individual teeth of said toothed belt.
 14. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein said first main frame comprises a seat. 15.The system of claim 11, wherein said second main frame is comprises anapparatus to attach said user's feet thereto.
 16. The system of claim11, wherein at least one of said first and second main frames comprisesa composite material.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein at least oneof said first and second main frames comprises shoulder straps.
 18. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein at least one of said first and second mainframes comprises an extendable handle and wheels.
 19. A method ofclimbing a tree, said method comprising: providing a system as definedin claim 11; coupling said user's feet to said second frame; andascending a tree; wherein said user uses said ratchet mechanisms toshorten the length of said toothed belts to compensate for a diminishingtree trunk diameter.
 20. A method of climbing a tree, said methodcomprising: providing a system as defined in claim 11; coupling saiduser's feet to said second frame; and ascending a tree; wherein saiduser alternately disengages said toothed belts to manipulate said systemaround an obstacle in said tree.